National Republican., 1887-02-15
THE DEATH OF MIR. NORRIS.
Eulogistio Remarks Made by Col.
Payne and Justice Macarthur.

Nentu yesteruAy morning Win Justlces
Macarthur, Hagner, and James on the
bench. 1t being known that the death OF
the late John T.. Norris would be an
nounced there were many attorneys and
friends Of the deceased In the chamber.
Col. James g. Payne, Immediately after the
the court had been opened, arose and, ad.
dressing the court, spoke as follows;
May IL please your houors at meeting
OF the members of tho bar of the supreme
court OF the District Of Columbia and the Bar
Association held on Feb. IL, 1887, for the pur-
death Of John K Norris Norris Ess certain resolutions
were adopted and the chairman WAS re-
quested to present the same to the court In
general term. And this now do.
The resolutions were as follows:
The members Of the bar ofthe supreme court
Of the District of Columbia, and also the mem-
bers OF the Bar Association, having learned
with profound sorrow Of the death of John L.
Norris. have met. to give expression to their
bear testimony to his eminent virtues as law
yer and man. Be 1t therefore
Resolrod, That In the death OF John e. Nor
qaen lawyer snd erdte pe schoS
and a brother of whose high sense of honor,
love of truth, fidelity TO duty, and spotless
purity Of character we cherish the most aiiec.
Resolrcd That we tender the family ofthe
deceased our heartfelt sympathy.
Rtsoi.ed, That the chairman Is hereby re-
quested TO lay the proceedings Of this meeting
before the supreme court OF the District OF CO.
lumbia for such action as may be appropriate.
Resolred, That the. secretary Is requested TO
send the family of the deceased an engrossed
copy OF th' sc resolutions.
Col. Payne, continuing, said
In fulfilling the duty with which have been
charged by these resolutions, do not know
that could find any terms that wonld more
fttingly portray the character OF our departed
brother than those which are contained in the
paper Just read.
Your honors' recollection OF John E Norris
will be that of one whose form was most
familiar IN these halls OF justice, whose name
as attorney or solicitor margined great portions
OF the current calendars of the court, and
whose triumphs in this arena were almost
Within the limits OF the law and the rules of
court Mr.. Norris was most Jealous In the cause
of his clients. and at the same time fair and
life, crowned with professional success, the
esteem Of the bar. and the respect of the bench,
he has passed away, leaving to us whe survive
SSse % yor Sonors or
such action as to you may seem appropriate
and suggest that they be spread upon the
minutes OF the court.
Mr.. Justice Macarthur then spoke nc fol.
lows:
The suggestion lust made to the court that
these resolutions Of the proceedings of meet
ing Of the members OF the bar of this District
should constitute mart of the minutes of the
court Is most readily acquiesced III by the
conrt. But in addition to that desire to add
few words suggested by this occasion and
Will put them IN more permanent form than
usual, because held peculiarly intimate and
friendly relations with Brother Norris. For
that reason wish to pay such mark of re.
spect to his memory that will emphasize the
esteem In which held him.
John Il Norris, late a member of this bar,
distinguished for his professional services,
loved and admired for his noble qualities, has
received the last summons, aud the unseen
mis- departed spirit through the thick darkness
of the night and along the mysterious ways
that lead TO the gates of immortality. We will
ever. eve He has attended to the last call Of the
calendar, signed his last brief, made his last
argument and entered up Judgment upon the
record 81 his III ife which + irrevers5le Il final
light has gone out OF 1t. His memory, how
ever, surviyes-a precious legacy, inspiring all
those who knew him with sentiments OF high
esteem, and the sincerity OF that esteem Is
manifested on this memorial occasion in the
oyerfowing Of tender sympathies and the
tribute Of a grateful sensibility..
dialect of the day, and discuss their conduct
with the abandon and freedom of critical dis
elimination. But Of the departed ones we
speak with reverence and with moral vision
OF the sublime future upon which they had
entered and about which we know so little ex-
cept its reality.
many directions and experiences SO many vi.
cissitudes and c0mmot!Ons-it works out It's
purposes amid such constant strife passion,
and temptation that he who passes through the
ordeal with nature and character unscratchei
deserves the love and gratitude Of mankind.
Our friend and brother was more than usually
open and susceptible to all the influences aud
excitements OF his position, and IL he did not
attain the ideal which is perhaps unappro lch-
able In our present mortal state and condition,
he at least LEFT a name that is et once his bost
monument and .paneeyric, and history Ia
tear of the recording angel would blot out
from the book OF life for ever; Upon the Qu1n.
as most of US, and perhaps better than many
who were less open to observation,
So kindly was this mans nature, so genial
and gracious. that in the seventy years OF his
in the earnest conflicts of the lawyer aud the
heated ones ofthe politician. he has len moth
ing to rankle in single heart, and no enemy
to cast reproach upon his fair escutcheon This
is not the result of apathy nor Indifference, for
he was upright. brave, and undaunted. Nor
was bis kindliness compelled by any motive
the heart or understanding OF others. 1. was
the genuine law OF his nature, and in obedi-
encc to the impulses Of his heart Truth and
simplicity were the habit ofhis mind. And
for standing, as 1t were, by his grave and In
the presence OF eternity, we are allowed to
KNOW now teuuerly ODSerVeu the saCrIu
ties Of domestic life, and we can remember
| the trust and confidence of hi; friends.
He was able to ingratiate himself with the
ignorant, the poor, and the oppressed, for he
knew how useful information and suggestion
| could be gathered from those engaged In other
| pursuits, even the bumblest and the most OBJ
| scure; and none knew better than he that 1t
earnestly that the great arbter Of Justice opens
| her sacred portals He never wondered at
common circumstances, nor was he surprised
or overwhelmed by those that were strange or
| unexpected. He was singularly free from the
| perturbations of mind that not only weaken
energy but darken and confuse the inductive
Ifthe great duty Of the advocate is self-de-
votion-a desire to advance the interest of his
client rather than his own fame or wealth.
Mr.. Norris undoubtedly possessed that noble
| in our profession amidst self seeking genera
| tion inclined to value everything by Its money
price or Its private usefulness. Being min
| OF the people, he was well versed In the ordi-
| nary experiences Of life, and having a deep
| knowledge of men he felt almost consciously
| the intuitons OF jury, and although he was
| neither eloquent nor rhetorical he addressed
| them In the rugged etymons of our Saxon
| speech, and carried them with him as II so
much good sense, plain talk, and mother wit
| must be the right thing to follow.
|, Mr.. Norris was not what we call a devout
| man. and yet he was q reverent one, believing
that the great Law Giver is the creator and
iI inther Of us all; we learn not without emo
sweet HIS faith in the omnipotence justice and
| purity of God. Mems hopes are frnstrate1 and
sculptor's studio The glowing promises that
come to us from above Is the permanent ana
divine part of earthly goodness. They s)oth
the heart, enrich the soul, and Ill the future
with the sunshine OF heavenly light. Thus
the life that begins In doubt aud expectation
ends In triumph. aud heaven Is over us all.
The record will be made IN the minutes OF
the court.